Automatic razor strop cover



Dec. 23, 1952 MaK, YOUNG ETAL 2,622,379

Y AUTOMATIC RAZOR sTRoP covER Filed Jan. 5, 1952 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 IN V EN TORAS A TTOR/VEY Dec. 23, 1952 l.. MOK. YOUNG ET Al. 2,622,379

AUTOMATIC RAZOR sTROR COVER Filed Jan. 5, 1952 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 El :FI 1:5- 5

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M'l/lllllll//l//llll VI`I II`IIIIIIIIIIII1 LJMJL Patented Dec. 23, i952 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE Lincoln McK. Young and Loyd B. Killingswortll, Hamilton, Ala.

Application January 5, 1952, Serial No. 265,162

(Cl. 51e-2,68)

6 Claims.

Qur invention relates to improvements in automatic razor strop covers, and particularly to a device of this character intended and adapted to be applied and used by barbers and others to cover a razor strop when not in use, and which is capable of expeditious movement to a position to expose both sides of an ordinary razor strop for use.

An object of this invention is to provide a razor strop cover which can be applied by a barber or other'individual user, to a strop already in use, or which can be applied to strops as manufactured and sold. which cover is of simple and inexpensive construction, can be quickly and expeditiously opened to give access for use of the strop, will automatically close after use, and which will be substantially dust-proof.

A further object is to so construct the cover that it can be applied to a razor strop without injury to cr alteration of or mutilation of the strop portion, and which will shield the strop from dust, hair, oil, powder. and other outside matter all of which are injurious to the strop and to a razor.

Another object is toV provide a cover which is substantially integral with the strop, when assembled, and which is of such construction that the strop holds the cover and the operating mechanism therefor, without material obstruction or kinterference with ready access to the usual razor stropping portions of the strop.

Still another object is to provide a strop cover which has two movable portions, combining to cover the strop, and both of which recede or withdraw when the barber or other user grasps a por- 1';

tion of the cover structure to hold the razor strop in the usual manner for use.

Another purpose of our invention is to so construct and assemble and mount our improved cover with a razor strop, that when the user grasps a portion of the cover to stretch the strop, the portions o the cover will be drawn back to expose the usable stropping portion in the side areas, on both sides, of the strop, and as use of the strop is discontinued the cover structure will automatically close over the strop to protect and maintain the strop substantially dustand dirtfree.

With the above and other objects in View, some of which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and others of which are inherent in the construction and use. of the cover, our invention includes certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements and assemblies of; parts; which will be. hereinafter set forth in lli 2 connection with the drawings and then pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a view in side elevation of a strop cover in accordance with our invention, as applied to a razor strop and with parts of the cover broken away to better illustrate the relative arrangement.

Fig. 2 is a similar view taken from the opposite side, and with parts of the cover broken away.

Fig. 3 is a view in edge elevation with parts of cover broken away to show the relative position of the strop.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through the strop and cover, showing the cover closed.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, showing the cover opened.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional view on line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. '7 shows an enlarged transverse sectional view on line 'l-'l of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged transverse sectional view on line 8 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged transverse sectional view on line 9-9 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 10 shows an enlarged sectional view taken transversely on line lli- I6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 1l is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional View substantially on line I l--I I of Fig. 1.

As has been stated, our improved cover is adapted to be assembled in integral relation'with and to be used upon any type and construction of razor strop; and, when the parts are assembled the strop holds the cover and operating mechanism at all times in the operative relation.

With razor strops, it is customary to have two elongated stropping members, one usually being employed for stropping or sharpening a razor, and the other being of a nature and material to loe-employed in nishing the razor. Ordinarily, these two elongated members are` placed substantially back-to-back, and are so mounted or suspended thatV this assembly can be readily turned over or reversed so that the stropping or sharpening base of either of the members can be readily disposed for use. It is customary to make both of the elongated members of leather, or one member of leather and the other of canvasor webbing. However, our improved cover structure is adaptable to substantially any and all types of razor strops as now manufactured, and as in use, irrespective of the particular materials. Y y

In the present instance, weA have illustrated our invention as applied to andy for use with two clon;

gated flexible strop members I and 2 to accommodate and enclose operating parts, we provide an I-shaped track and housing member 3, interposed between the elongated strop members I and 2. This I-shaped housing member is of flexible plastic, of leather, or of other suitable material which will permit the necessary and desired yielding of the elongated strop members when a razor is being stropped thereon, and yet the housing member 3 is sufliciently stiff to prevent buckling of the strop members I and 2. As perhaps best disclosed in Fig. 6 of the drawings, this member 3 has the at side thereof adjacent to the strop members I and 2, and this provides trackways 4 and 5 at each side edge.

A head plate 6 is provided at one end of the elongated strop members I and 2, with the housing member interposed therebetween, and this head plate 6 is mounted in place by means of a clamp screw 1, or other suitable securin-g means. A suspending ring 8 extends from the outer end of the head plate 6, in position to be used to hang or suspend the razor strop structure upon a barbers chair, or upon any other suitable fastening or support, so that the razor strop can be used and presented in ordinary manner.

With the parts held together by clamp plate 6, the three elongated members, namely the strop members I and 2 and the housing member 3 are disposed in substantially laminated relationship, and to maintain this relationship, we provide an end clamp plate at 9, held in place by screws or other suitable fastenings, so that the relationship of the three parts is maintained without necessity of cementing or other fastening between the ends. In this manner, the elongated members are held in the desired relative positioning, and the razor strop is permitted sufcient flexibility for the purpose desired.

An actuating slider cover carrying member I is made of substantially tubular rectangular shape in cross section, and of a size to t and slide freely upon the razor strop assembly. An operated slider cover carrying member I I is made to cooperate and fit with the actuating slider member I0, and is also freely slidable upon the strop assembly. A flange I2 is provided on the operated slider member II, so that when the members I0 and I I are brought together they will i'lt in aligned registration and in substantially dust-tight closure. In use, it is intended that the actuating slider member I0 and the operated slider member II shall close together in the middle region of the length of the strop, and tubular slip cover members I3 and I4 are provided to cover the strop intermediate the operated slider plate or member II and the adapter head plate 6, in the one instance, and intermediate the actuating slider member I0 and the end clamp plate 9, in the other instance. These tubular slip cover members can be made up of nylon or other suitable fabric, of sheet plastic, or of other suitable flexible material which will properly cover the strops when in the closed position, and will slip back and will fold after the manner of a bellows, to give free access to the Y slider in various manners. We have found that attachment or securement can be readily and conveniently accomplished by providing circumferential grooves around the several members, and securing the ends of the tubular slip cover members in place by means of tie cords or other suitable fastenings, as at I6. With this arrangement, the tie cords I6 bind around the tubular slip cover members at their ends, to depress the material into the grooves I 5, and the ends of the tubular slip cover members are thus secured in place. Obviously, elastic bands or clips or other fastening means might be employed.

The actuating slider cover carrying member I3 has guide members I'I and I8 extending inwardly from the side portions thereof and received in the trackways 4 and 5 of the I-shaped tracks and housing member 3, and the operated slider and cover carrying member I I has similar guide portions or members I9 and 29. With the parts mounted in this relation, the actuating slider III and the operated slider I I can be moved endwise along the strop assembly, and the relative positioning of the parts to close together and to separate is maintained.

Our invention contemplates that the actuating slider cover carrying member Ill shall be moved, by the operator or user, downwardly along the lower part of the razor strop assembly toward the end clamp plate 9 to collapse the tubular slip cover member I 4 and to expose the middle section of the strop assembly; and, it is essential that the operated slider cover carrying member II be correspondingly moved inthe opposite direction, or toward the adapter head plate 6, to slide back the tubular slip cover member I3 and expose a corresponding portion of the middle area of the razor strop assembly. Also, it is contemplated that When the user releases the actuating slider cover carrying member I3, both members Ill and II will automatically return toward the center and will close together, thus returning the tubular slip cover members I3 and I4 to the strop covering relationship.

To accomplish the above purposes and operations, cords 0r cables 2! and 22 extending over pulley Wheels 23 and 2d carried by the adapter head plate 6 are connected at their ends with the actuating slider member Ill and the operated slider member I I, so that as slider member I is moved toward the lower end of the strop assembly, these cords or cables 2| and 22 will correspondingly move the operated slider member I I toward the head plate 6. Elongated coil springs 25 and 26, or other suitable elastic means, have connection at one end with the operated slider member II, and at their opposite ends with the end clamp plate 9, so that opening movement of the two slider members is resiliently opposed, and that when the operator or user releases the actuating slider member I0, these springs will exert resilient force to return the operated slider member II toward its middle or closed position. At the same time, the cords or cables ZI and 22 will cause corresponding closing movement of the actuated slider member I3. The cords or cables EI and 22, and the elongated coil springs or other elastic members 25 and 2B are conveniently housed in the traclways 4V and 5 of the I-shaped track and housing member 3, and when the cover is closed these parts, as well as the razor strop assembly, will be completelyhoused and enclosed.

With our improved structure, the barber or other user will grasp vthe actuating slider member I0 and willpull downwardly to slide the same toward the end clamp plate 9, and the force thus exerted will cause operated slider member Il to move upwardly along the razor strop assembly, toward the adapter head plate 6, the members li! and Il moving with substantially equal increments until some inches of the elongated razor stropping members l and 2 are exposed for use. As the members l, 2 and 3 are flexible, the razor strop will have the desired yieldability for advantageous use, and the strop structure can be reversed to give access for use of either strop No. 1 or strop No. 2. The tubular slip cover members I3 and lli will fold back after the manner of a bellows, and when the member lil is released the spring and cord or cable arrangement will cause both slider members lll and H to return to a middle position, drawing the tubular slip cover members i3 and I4 with them.

With our improved structure, the cover is partially removed from the strop, the ends of the strop being covered at all times and the cover being so assembled and arranged that immediately the usei` releases the member l0, the cover structure will automatically return to the closed and covering position. The usual movements and procedure of a barber or other user, in stropping a razor, are unchanged, and the position of the strop in a barber shop or on a chair, or on other suitable support, will likewise be unchanged. At

the same time, while the cover provides excellent protection for the strop, both sides of the strop may be used with the same freedom as a regular strop; and, there is never any danger of the hand contacting the strop, except when the unit is being cleaned. When the cover is closed, it will be substantially dustand dirt-proof, and will shield the strop from dust, hair, oil, powder, and other foreign substances, all of which are injurious to the strop, and to a razor as applied upon a dirty strop.

While we have herein shown and described only certain specific embodiments Iof our invention, and have suggested only certain possible modifications, it will be appreciated that many changes and variations can be made in the form, construction, arrangement, and assembly of the parts, Without departing from the spirit and scope of our invention.

We claim:

l. A razor strop cover for an elongated flexible strop comprising actuated and operated slider members movable along the strop, resilient means normally holding said slider members together in the middle portion of the strop, and tubular slip cover members connected with the slider members and extending oppositely toward the ends of the strop.

2. A razor strop cover for an elongated flexible strop comprising actuated and operated slider members movable along the middle portion of the strop, cable means connecting said slider members to close together over the middle portion and to simultaneously open toward the ends of the strop, and tubular flexible slip cover members connected with said slider members and extending oppositely to the ends of the strop.

3. A razor strop cover for an elongated flexible strop comprising actuated and operated slider members movable along the middle portion of said strop, cable means connecting said slider members to close together over the middle portion of the strop and to simultaneously open toward the ends of the strop, and spring means connected with an end of said strop and with one of said slider members exerting force to return said slider member to the middle position, and tubular flexible slip cover members connected with the slider members and extending op-I positely to the ends of the strop.

4. A razor strop cover for a razor strop having a pair of elongated flexible strop members, a nexible I-shaped track and housing member disposed between said elongated flexible strop members presenting trackways at opposite edges, a head plate connecting said strop members and said I-shaped member together at one end, an end clamp plate means connecting said three members together at the other end, an actuating slider cover carrying member endwise movable along the razor strop assembly, an operated slider cover carrying member also slidable longitudinally on the strop structure, spring means in said trackways normally urging said actuating and operated slider members to a closed position adjacent to the middle of the strop structure, and tubular slip cover members connected with the slider members and extending oppositely to the ends of the strop.

5. A razor strop cover comprising, with a pair of elongated exible strop members, a substantially I-shaped track and housing member disposed between said strop members and presenting trackways at the sides thereof, a head plate connecting said strop members and the housing member together at one end, an end clamp plate connecting said three members together at the opposite end, pulley wheels carried by the head plate aligned with the trackways, an actuating slider cover carrying member endwise movable on the middle portion of the strop assembly toward the clamped end, an operated slider cover carrying member endwise movable on said strop assembly toward the head plate, cables in said trackways connected at their ends with said slider members and having their middle portions over the pulley wheels, and spring means also in said trackways connected with said operated slider member and with the end clamp plate, and tubular slip cover members connected with the slider members and extending oppositely to the ends of the strop structure.

6. An automatic razor strop cover comprising, with a pair of elongated iiexible strop members, a substantially I-shaped track and housing member of exible material interposed between said iiexible strop members, a head plate connecting said three members together at one end and provided with a suspending ring, an end clamp plate connecting the three members together at the opposite end, an actuating slider cover carrying member endwise movable on said strop assembly toward the end clamp plate, an operated slider cover carrying member also endwise slidable on said strop structure toward the head plate and having a portion interfltting with the actuating slider when said slider members are brought together, tubular slip cover members connected with said slider members and extending oppositely to the ends of the strop structure, pulley wheels carried by said head plate, cables disposed over said pulley wheels and having their ends connected with the actuating slider and the operated slider, and elongated coil springs connected with said operated slider member and with the strop structure adjacent to the end clamp plate.

` LINCOLN MCK. YOUNG.

LOYD B. KILLINGSWORTH.

No references cited. 

